BRIGHTER ★ ★
FUTURES FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE
Our Impact so far
Conducted by Lumenia
An Expert Interview with Mark Gavin and Dr Melissa Kaltner from Lumenia
The Little Stars Learners Program goes beyond academic support, offering a holistic learning and wellbeing program designed for children in out-of-home care (OOHC). With trauma-informed, relationship-driven mentoring, it helps children build confidence, engage in learning, and thrive.
For every $1 invested, $5.60 in social and economic value is created. Unlike traditional tutoring, Little Stars provides personalised mentoring, structured progress tracking, and professional support, leading to stronger academic outcomes, emotional wellbeing, and household stability.
Beyond education, the program fosters community connections, school collaboration, and ongoing carer support, ensuring children gain the confidence and skills to shape a better future.
“The healthy development of children is absolutely critical to the future wellbeing of any society. After all, when we are no longer here, the world will belong to them.”
Who are we?
Little Stars Foundation is a non for profit organisation based in South East Queensland. Our mission is to provide learning and wellbeing support to children living in foster, kinship and residential care to improve educational and life outcomes.
Little Stars Foundation provides educational support scholarships to enable children to participate in our signature program – the Little Stars Learners program – which provides one on one, flexible, in home support to children and young people living in foster, kinship and residential care.
Feel empowered
Investment in policies and programs which support our young people living in foster, kinship and residential care will result in short and long term returns.
We are committed to working alongside and collaborating with key stakeholders and other providers to improve outcomes for our young people. After all, it does take a village to raise a child.
Our programs have already helped hundreds of young people catch up at school but we need your help. Be part of the change you want to see in the world and be part of the solution to providing our children with the support they need to thrive.
“How we value and treat our children is the greatest measure of the humanity of a society .”
The Challenges for Young People in Care
Children living in foster, kinship, and residential care face profound and complex challenges that deeply affect their educational journeys. These young people, often affected by early trauma, struggle developmentally, socially, and emotionally, with long-term impacts on their ability to succeed in school.
Children who have experienced abuse and neglect who are in foster, kinship and residential care are among the most disadvantaged students, often falling behind their peers in literacy, numeracy, and engagement. The effects of trauma can manifest in behavioral difficulties, leading to higher suspension and exclusion rates in school. Placement instability further disrupts learning, with children frequently changing homes and schools, adding to their struggles in maintaining academic progress.
Without targeted intervention, these children are at significant risk of lifelong social and economic disadvantage.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The Little Stars Learners program is designed to address these challenges by providing early intervention and tailored support which is trauma-informed and grounded in relationship. Our early intervention approach focuses on helping children and young people connect with learning, rebuild their self-esteem, and develop a sense of stability and success.
Key Outcomes of our program include:
★ Improved Engagement: Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress.
★ Enhanced Confidence & Wellbeing: Through consistent support, children gain confidence and experience positive changes in their mental health, leading to improved behaviour both at home and in school.
★ Strengthened Care Placements: By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
★ Carer Support: Carers benefit from a reduction in stress and feel more confident in their caregiving roles, with a deeper understanding of trauma-informed strategies that improve the lives of the children in their care.
★ Enhanced Community Understanding of Trauma: Education Support Mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
★ Assisting Teachers and Schools by improving student engagement: Working one on one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
Improved Engagement
Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress.
Enhanced Confidence & Wellbeing
Through consistent support, children gain confidence and experience positive changes in their mental health, leading to improved behaviour both at home and in school.
Strengthened Care Placements
By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
Carer Support
Carers benefit from a reduction in stress and feel more confident in their caregiving roles, with a deeper understanding of trauma-informed strategies that improve the lives of the children in their care.
Enhanced Community Understanding of Trauma
Education Support Mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
Assisting Teachers and Schools by improving student engagement
Working one on one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
The Little Stars Learners program is not only transforming lives but is also delivering a high return on investment. For every $1 invested, $5.60 of social and economic value is created, benefiting children, carers, the education system, and the community at large.
Social and Economic Value Creation
For every $1 invested
$5.6 of social and economic value is created
Reflects positive changes in societal attitudes, reduced anti-social behaviour, and increased community cohesion.
Highlights increased wellbeing, satisfaction, and reduced stress among carers due to effective educational support.
Represents the improved engagement, confidence, and educational outcomes of students, fostering lifelong learning.
Shows enhanced stability and support within the Out-of-Home Care system, reducing placement breakdowns.
Indicates better school engagement and performance, leading to improved educational trajectories for children.
Demonstrates the skills and experience gained by mentors, enhancing their future careers in education and psychology.
This powerful return highlights the significant impact of Little Stars Learners in addressing the educational challenges faced by children in care, creating lasting benefits for individuals and society.
By investing in these young lives, we are breaking the cycle of disadvantage, giving children in care the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond. Together, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future.
Become a Corporate Sponsor
Partnering with the Little Stars Foundation offers your organisation a unique opportunity to transform the lives of Queensland’s most vulnerable young people. By supporting our trauma-informed educational programs, even a fraction of your corporate sponsorship can brighten the future for countless disadvantaged youth. This collaboration showcases your organisation’s generosity, responsibility, and commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community.
For every $1 invested, we generate $5.60 in social and economic value — a substantial return that not only supports young people but also reflects positively on your organisation’s dedication to social responsibility. Your stakeholders and the public will view this support as a powerful statement of your values, contributing to a stronger, more compassionate society. As a DGR1 charity, your sponsorship is fully tax-deductible, making it both a wise financial decision and a heartfelt investment in a brighter future.
Join us in creating lasting change. Download our Supporter Kit for more information and to access our Social Return on Investment report to discover how your sponsorship can leave an enduring legacy.
Enrol in the Little Stars Learners Program
Are you a carer, foster agency, or part of an organisation supporting young people in out-of-home care? The Little Stars Learners program offers tailored, trauma-informed educational support designed to meet the unique needs of young people who have experienced early trauma, abuse, and neglect.
Our one-on-one, relationship-based mentoring bridges educational gaps, helps young people catch up to their peers, rebuilds self-esteem, and fosters a love for learning. By enrolling a young person in our program, you are providing them with the tools to overcome challenges, improve school engagement, and experience meaningful, long-term benefits. Our program empowers young people to positively engage in learning and thrive both academically and personally.
We accept applications from the Department of Child Safety, foster and kinship agencies, schools, and private residential care providers. Carers can also approach their agency to enquire about funding options or apply directly for our limited scholarship opportunities.
Enrolments for the Little Stars Learners program are currently open! In the meantime, you can learn more about the program and its transformative impact by downloading our comprehensive Information Kit.
We couldn’t make the impact we do without generous sponsors like yourselves. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thankyou for your support!
Together, we can achieve even more
We’re deeply grateful for what we’ve accomplished together—providing over $1.27 million in educational scholarships, delivering more than 25,000 hours of support, and bringing hope to thousands of children who need it most. Yet, there is still so much more we can do. Beyond donations, your support in spreading the word is invaluable. By leaving a review on Google, you can inspire others to join our cause and help us reach even more children in need. Let’s continue to build this community and make a lasting difference in the lives of children together.
